Britain's Sir Simon Rattle, reckoned ideal by many insiders, rules himself out not least because he will be taking over as chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic in 2002.
Two British conductors, Opera North's Richard Farnes and the Royal Opera House's Antonio Pappano will battle it out with Germany's Ingo Metzmacher and Christian Thielemann, and Italian Nicola Luisotti for the conductor trophy.